ORGANISERS of the second Deni Blues and Roots Festival at the weekend were overwhelmed with the crowd almost doubling last year’s turn out.
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More than 8000 music lovers flocked to the Deniliquin festival to see headline performances from the likes of John Mayer, Elvis Costello, Russell Morris and the Doobie Brothers.
The inaugural event was held last Easter, with Deniliquin residents and promoters Chugg Entertainment seeing a need for a blues and roots festival in the town.
Festival promoter Michael Chugg couldn’t hide his excitement yesterday.
“We did it, we got over 8000 people here over the two days,” he said.
“The weather was great and the quality of music was just as good as last year.”
Mr Chugg was impressed with the headline acts, as well as Michael Franti, who got the crowd going when he left the stage to perform among the festivalgoers.
“He got the crowd going and set it up,” he said.
“He’s actually one of the best festival entertainers in the world — people love him.”
Other acts included Boz Scaggs, Steve Earle and Peter McWhirter.
Mr Chugg said people came from all over Australia to enjoy the variety of sounds and a high calibre line-up over the Easter weekend.
The festival utilises two permanent stages and other structures at the site of the Deni Ute Muster.
Mr Chugg said the challenge was getting some people to understand it was not an extension of the ute muster.